Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) expressed strong reservation over the pace of watercourses lining in the province in a memorandum presented to Prime Minister during his visit on Sunday last.
The board pointed out that that according to national project more than 30,000 watercourses are to be lined in four years but unfortunately around 500 watercourses have been improved till date which means that with the present pace it would take 60 years to complete the project.
The board is of the view that to accelerate the pace the current policy needs rethinking and the implementing bureaucracy should be directed to remove all hurdles such as 30 percent lining of watercourses and lining of only new watercourses forthwith so as to encourage small farmers.
The board also pointed out that the water availability at Kotri barrage was only 28,000 cusecs against the requirement of 37,000 cusecs that indicates water shortage, which would have negative impact on paddy crop.
The board also pointed out that the rotation system is still continuing which is casting its negative impact on rice crop.
The board requested that the paradox of flood availability of water and requirement should be correctly estimated so that steps in right direction could be taken to resolve the problems of water shortage.
The board was of the opinion that unless corruption and political and administrative interferences were not checked the situation would not improved even after the completion of the project. The board offers to be a part of the programme of the rehabilitation of the irrigation network in the province.
The board also emphasised for the restructuring of the irrigation policy, which includes short, medium and long term goals and ways to tackle the drought, surplus water and requirements.
The Abadgar Board maintained that the board is fully aware of the needs of the kitchen items and is against the price hike but it feels that the entire scene of inflation has been misinterpreted.
The board is of the view that the trigger point of price hike described by the Ministry of Finance is absolutely incorrect keeping in view the facts and figures about the essential items.
The board maintained that the price of wheat flour (Atta) in open market was Rs 14 to Rs 15 per kilo much before the announcement of the price incentive for the wheat growers even when the support price of wheat was Rs 350 per 40 Kg and most of the farmers have sold their stock.
The real cause was inflation, which was continuously on the increase. The other reason was availability of credit on low mark-up to grain traders and flour mills that taking the advantage of credit facilities exploited the growers and consumers both by hoarding. In case of shortage the government should allow one time limit import.
The cost of production in neighbouring India is much less compared to Pakistan; as such the government should provide more incentive to growers to increase their capacity of production.
Referring to livestock the board maintained that the livestock represent 40 percent of the agricultural GDP. Economic Survey of the year 2004 indicate surplus in livestock yet we are importing livestock from India without any regulatory duty or restrictions. No efforts have been made to comprehend the issue, nor there is any plan or policy to enhance the production or eliminating the menace of middleman responsible for price hike. The ratio of veterinary doctor is one for around 76000 animals.
The board also demanded establishment of agro-based industries, which help growers and horticulturist to grow quality fruits and vegetables.